How to Prepare for Unexpected Events

An unexpected event can affect a person’s financial situation at any given moment. To lessen the impact, you should prepare for emergencies by creating a financial plan. Here are 6 steps you can take to prepare for unexpected events.

Start an Emergency Fund. You should have 6-9 months’ worth of expenses saved in your emergency fund. This will help you stay financially afloat if an unexpected event occurs.

Check Your Insurance. It is vital to ensure you have sufficient insurance to cover your circumstances. This includes potential health, car, home, or renters’ insurance coverage.

Plan for Natural Disasters. Depending on where you live, you should have flood, hurricane, or earthquake insurance. Organize your financial documents so you can easily bring them with you anywhere.

Negotiate with Lenders. Call your lender ASAP if you’re unable to pay your debt due to an emergency. Calling your company can result in a lower interest rate, waived fees, & more. Enroll in a debt management program if you don’t receive help from your creditor.

Make a List. Write down all the potential events that could happen. Determine how much each would cost you and what your action plan would be.

Create a Backup Budget. Review your budget. Cut out unnecessary expenses so you have more money saved in case of an unexpected event.